Creating Modules

Learn how to build modules from scratch for your personal library or sharing.

Starting Fresh

Reset the Workspace

1. Click Menu (☰)
2. Select Load Module > Reset to Default Module
3. Or load a simple interval module as a starting point

The BaseNote

Every module starts with the BaseNote (orange circle):

1. Click the BaseNote to select it
2. Set the properties in the Variable Widget:
   • frequency: Reference pitch (e.g., 440 for A4)
   • tempo: Beats per minute
   • beatsPerMeasure: Time signature numerator

Building Your Composition

Adding Notes

1. Select an existing note
2. In the Variable Widget, find "Add Note"
3. Choose:
   • Add at Start+Duration: Sequential notes
   • Add at Same Time: Chords

Setting Frequencies

For each note, set its frequency expression:

// Just intonation intervals
module.baseNote.getVariable('frequency').mul(new Fraction(3, 2))  // Fifth
module.baseNote.getVariable('frequency').mul(new Fraction(5, 4))  // Third

// TET intervals
module.baseNote.getVariable('frequency').mul(
  new Fraction(2).pow(new Fraction(7, 12))  // 12-TET fifth
)

// Relative to another note
module.getNoteById(1).getVariable('frequency').mul(new Fraction(5, 4))

Setting Timing

For sequential notes:

// Start after previous note ends
module.getNoteById(prev).getVariable('startTime')
  .add(module.getNoteById(prev).getVariable('duration'))

For chords (simultaneous notes):

// Same start time as root
module.getNoteById(root).getVariable('startTime')

Setting Duration

// Beat-relative duration
new Fraction(60).div(module.findTempo(module.baseNote))  // 1 beat

// Fixed duration
new Fraction(0.5)  // 0.5 seconds

// Same as another note
module.getNoteById(1).getVariable('duration')

Module Design Patterns

Interval Module

A simple two-note interval:

{
  "baseNote": {
    "frequency": "new Fraction(440)"
  },
  "notes": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "frequency": "module.baseNote.getVariable('frequency')",
      "startTime": "new Fraction(0)",
      "duration": "new Fraction(1)"
    },
    {
      "id": 2,
      "frequency": "module.baseNote.getVariable('frequency').mul(new Fraction(3, 2))",
      "startTime": "new Fraction(0)",
      "duration": "new Fraction(1)"
    }
  ]
}

Chord Module

Notes with the same start time:

{
  "notes": [
    { "id": 1, "frequency": "baseNote × 1", "startTime": "0" },
    { "id": 2, "frequency": "baseNote × 5/4", "startTime": "0" },
    { "id": 3, "frequency": "baseNote × 3/2", "startTime": "0" }
  ]
}

Scale Module

Each note references the previous:

{
  "notes": [
    { "id": 1, "frequency": "baseNote", "startTime": "0" },
    { "id": 2, "frequency": "note1 × step", "startTime": "note1.end" },
    { "id": 3, "frequency": "note2 × step", "startTime": "note2.end" }
  ]
}

Melody Module

Custom frequencies and timings:

{
  "notes": [
    { "id": 1, "frequency": "baseNote × 1", "startTime": "0", "duration": "1 beat" },
    { "id": 2, "frequency": "baseNote × 9/8", "startTime": "note1.end", "duration": "0.5 beat" },
    { "id": 3, "frequency": "baseNote × 5/4", "startTime": "note2.end", "duration": "1.5 beats" }
  ]
}

Testing Your Module

Playback Test

1. Click Play to hear the module
2. Listen for:
   • Correct pitches
   • Correct timing
   • Smooth playback

Visual Check

1. Look at the workspace
2. Verify:
   • Notes are positioned correctly
   • Dependency lines make sense
   • No unexpected overlaps

Edit and Iterate

1. Select notes that need adjustment
2. Modify expressions
3. Test again

Saving Your Module

When you're satisfied:

1. Click Menu > Save Module
2. Rename the file appropriately
3. Add to your Module Bar (optional)

Advanced Techniques

Parameterized Modules

Create modules where changing one value affects everything:

// All notes relative to a "root" note
root.frequency = baseNote.frequency.mul(new Fraction(someInterval))
third.frequency = root.frequency.mul(new Fraction(5, 4))
fifth.frequency = root.frequency.mul(new Fraction(3, 2))
// Change root's interval, and the whole chord moves!

Template Modules

Create skeleton modules for common patterns:

• 4-bar phrase template
• Chord progression template
• Scale template

Load these as starting points for new compositions.

Hybrid Tuning

Mix just intonation and TET:

// Just fifth
note2.frequency = baseNote.frequency.mul(new Fraction(3, 2))

// TET third above that
note3.frequency = note2.frequency.mul(new Fraction(2).pow(new Fraction(4, 12)))

Tips

1. Plan before building - Sketch your structure first
2. Start simple - Add complexity incrementally
3. Use dependencies - They make modules flexible
4. Test frequently - Catch errors early
5. Document your work - Add comments for complex modules
6. Save versions - Keep backups as you iterate